When former state Sen. Charles Calderon of Whittier decided after eight years to return to politics to run for Assembly, it guaranteed he would be the focus.

And that’s been the case. Calderon has spent the most money, but also has been the target of criticism by his three opponents: Pico Rivera Councilman David Armenta; Geri Guzman, a Montebello school board member and Montebello city treasurer; and Whittier Councilman Owen Newcomer.

They’re running for the seat now held by Calderon’s brother, Ron, who holds the 58th Assembly District office. Ron Calderon is running for state Senate.

The district includes either all or part of the cities of Downey, Montebello, Pico Rivera, Whittier and unincorporated East Los Angeles and Hacienda Heights.

“You’ve got a choice,” Newcomer said. “Charles Calderon has been part of the mess of Sacramento. He doesn’t support campaign finance reform, didn’t accept campaign spending limits and has been fined $18,000 by the Fair Political Practices Commission for improper campaign spending.”

Similar comments have been echoed by Armenta and Guzman.

But Calderon, who represented this area in the Assembly and Senate from 1982-98, says he isn’t part of the problem, but would use his experience to make the process better.

“I want to use my experience to protect my community in terms of education and public safety, provide better education and make people feel safe in their homes.”

Calderon also cites laws that he wrote as a legislator. His law imposed tough water standards and created sex-offender tracking and he helped bring $250 million back to this area to assist people in rebuilding homes after the 1987 Whittier Narrows earthquake.

But his opponents say Calderon would be part of the same old establishment in Sacramento.

“There are some good legislators out there, but for the ones in the leadership, it’s business as usual,” Guzman said. “It’s very much driven by the lobbyists and who can write the bigger checks.”

Where his opponents disagree is about who would be best to represent the district.

“I have a proven track record of accountability in Pico Rivera for making change,” Armenta said.

“I was the leader in firing our city manager who was grossly overpaid. I was responsible for the reorganization of the city administration that led to $1.4million in cost savings and I brought in a public safety division that will fight gangs and graffiti.”

Guzman said her candor and level of hard work are what separates her from the other candidates.

“If my constituents have an issue, I’m out there fighting for them. I speak the most bluntly and I am and the most frank. I don’t beat around the bush.”

Newcomer cites his 16 years on the Whittier City school board and Whittier City Council.

“I have experience bringing parties together to solve problems and working cooperatively with others,” he said. “I have the skills and decision making to do the best job.”

Calderon also has attacked his opponents.

He accused Guzman of spending $10,000 on travel as a local official.

Guzman responded that the number is right, but it’s over six years and the money has come from the city of Montebello, Montebello Unified School District, herself and from her job.

Calderon also criticized Newcomer for supporting a Rio Hondo College bond issue as a way for the Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County to build a 20,000-ton-per-day transfer station for trash.

“This is a good example of his functioning as a lobbyist opposing local educational interests,” Newcomer said.

Calderon, who with former state Sen. Frank Hill, R-Whittier, wrote a letter opposing the November 2002 $194.6 million bond issue, denies that he was paid as a lobbyist on the issue.

Mike Sprague started at the Whittier Daily News in April 1984. Since then, Sprague has covered every city in the Whittier Daily News circulation area, as well as political and water issues. Sprague received a bachelor's degree in communications and a master's degree in political science, both from Cal State Fullerton.

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